* * * * OF NOTE . . . -- The Patriots are 3-0 against NFC teams this season and 42-9 (.824) against NFC teams since 2001.

-- With a career record of 212-111, Bill Belichick is the third coach in NFL history to have at least 100 more wins than losses. The only others are Don Shula (347-173-6) and George Halas (324-151-31).

-- The Patriots are 22-22 overall on Monday Night Football, including 15-5 under Bill Belichick. Belichick's overall record as a coach on Monday Night Football is 16-8.

-- Stephen Gostkowski has nine field goals of 40 or more yards in 2013. He needs three more to set the Patriots record for most 40-yard field goals in a single season. Adam Vinatieri had 11 field goals of 40 or more yards in 2004 and 1998, and Gostkowski had 11 such field goals in 2012.

-- Gostkowski has scored in 100 consecutive games and will tie Adam Vinatieri and John Smith for the team all-time record with 101 consecutive games scored if he records a point against the Panthers.

-- Rob Gronkowski has 39 touchdown receptions in 46 career games and has an opportunity to become the fastest to 40 touchdown receptions in NFL history. Antonio Gates has the current record, reaching 40 touchdown receptions in 71 games.

-- Stevan Ridley has 13 20-yard runs and needs one more to have the most for the Patriots since 2000. He is currently tied at 13 with Antowain Smith and Corey Dillon.

-- The Patriots can earn their eighth win of the 2013 season and guarantee to finish the season with a record of .500 or better for the 13th consecutive season.

-- The Patriots have forced a turnover in 36 straight games dating back to 2011, and including all 16 regular-season games of 2012. The NFL record for most consecutive games with a turnover since the merger in 1970 is 71 by Philadelphia from 1985-90.